Posterior Tibial Artery Location:
The posterior tibial artery originates from the lateral aspect of the medial epicondyle (the bone between the knee joint and ankle). The anterior tibial artery originates from the medial epicondyle. The inferior iliac spine is a common site for both arteries. If one wants to locate posterior tibial artery, it is better to look at the inferior iliac spines than lateral femur bones. The superior angle of the femur is another popular location for the posterior tibial artery.
When looking at the inferior angle of femur, one will see that there are two muscles which attach to it. These muscles are the internal oblique and external oblique. When these muscles contract, they pull on the upper part of thigh bone. This causes a small amount of pressure on the patella tendon which attaches to top of thigh bone. This patellar tendon then pulls on the patella bone which is located just above the kneecap.
As a result of this action, when one’s foot lands on the ground, it pushes down on the lower part of thigh bone. The pressure exerted by this force causes blood to flow into the patella tendon and eventually to your leg. The patellar tendon then transfers this blood into the lower part of the thigh bone and then eventually into the main artery called popliteal artery, which is located behind the knee joint.
Posterior Tibial Artery Pulse Location:
Several studies have shown the posterior tibial artery pulse location to be at the back of the leg, slightly behind the ankle joint (anterior malleolus). This artery supplies blood to ankle, foot (via arcades inside the foot), and the back of the leg. It is located on the inside of the ankle. If someone were to touch their ankle right behind their ankle bone, they should be able to feel a pulse if they applied pressure with their fingers. The arteries that are connected to the posterior tibial artery are superficial and deep fibular arteries.
Posterior Tibial Artery Function:
In the leg, the main job of the posterior tibial artery is to provide the foot with a steady blood flow. One can think of this artery as being like the elevator for a building. When a building has multiple floors, in order for one to get from the first floor (ground level) to the fifth floor (foot), one must take an elevator (the posterior tibial artery).
The main responsibility of the foot is to provide a steady blood flow to the toes. While most of us do not use out big toe as often as we once did, it still needs a steady blood flow in order for it to stay alive (without necrosis). Many of the foot arteries branch off into arches that are located on the top and bottom of the foot. The arches provide a steady blood flow to different parts of the foot.
Posterior tibial artery and Diabetes:
As mentioned above, the posterior tibial artery is located behind the knee and is a branch off of the Popliteal Artery. Because of this relationship, one can have certain complications related to diabetes such as limb loss or poor circulation in general. If one were to suffer from diabetes, they would be prone to having a higher chance of having a heart attack or stroke. This is mainly due to the high amount of build up of cholesterol in their system which would then restrict the blood flow throughout the body.
Because of our fast-paced society, many people do not take proper care of themselves or their bodies. Many people are overweight and do not exercise on a regular basis. However, many people also have certain eating habits that are not so great for their body. Many people eat out on a regular basis and do not take the necessary time to prepare healthy meals for themselves. If one were to suffer from diabetes or another disease that restricts the blood flow in one’s body, foot health is very important.
This is because poor blood flow can cause tissue damage in the foot and lead to things such as gangrene or necrosis.
In order to avoid possible future complications, one should take proper care of their feet on a regular basis. This can be accomplished by seeing a podiatrist (foot doctor) on a regular basis. The foot doctor can inspect your feet and make sure that you do not have any unknown injuries or illness that could lead to further complications in the future. In addition to a podiatrist, one should make sure that they exercise on a regular basis. This can be in the form of walking, running, swimming, or biking.
This will ensure that your blood flow is as efficient as possible and that you are not at risk for heart attacks, strokes, or other problems that could be fatal.
Sources & references used in this article:
Noninvasive assessment of vascular function in the posterior tibial artery of healthy humans by CD Black, B Vickerson… – Dynamic …, 2003 – dynamic-med.biomedcentral.com
Lower limb reconstruction using the islanded posterior tibial artery perforator flap by MV Schaverien, SA Hamilton… – Plastic and …, 2010 – cdn.journals.lww.com
Retrograde recanalization of an occluded posterior tibial artery by using a posterior tibial cutdown: two case reports by SS Iyer, G Dorros, R Zaitoun… – Catheterization and …, 1990 – Wiley Online Library
The reverse-flow posterior tibial artery island flap: anatomic study and 72 clinical cases. by K Liu, Z Li, Y Lin, Y Cao – Plastic and reconstructive surgery, 1990 – europepmc.org
